Childhood immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective methods of disease prevention. It is estimated that 2 to 3 million deaths are prevented annually by immunization with DTP and the measles vaccine.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as much as 29% of children below five years of age die annually from diseases which can be prevented by vaccines. In 2011, there were 1.5 million deaths in children secondary to these vaccine preventable illnesses.

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTP) vaccine is a combination vaccine made from diphtheria and tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis. It was first introduced in 1974, and has since been an essential part of the WHO Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI). A completed series of DTP immunization requires 3 doses before one year of age. One dose of the DTP vaccine costs approximately US $0.20.

Diphtheria is a potentially lethal disease caused by bacterial toxins. Although it is rare in developed countries, it is still found in underdeveloped countries with poor vaccine coverage. Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough”, is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract which is extremely contagious and is especially fatal in small babies. It is still considered an important cause of infant deaths worldwide. In 2011, there were 12,000 reported deaths from non-neonatal tetanus.

In 2012, the estimated global coverage with three doses of DTP vaccine rose to 83% (110.6 million infants) from 74% in 2000 (4).

According to UNICEF, one out of five infants still does not receive a complete series of DTP immunization. They call this vulnerable population the “unreached fifth child”.

Immunization coverage

Statistics on immunization coverage are used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to check whether the immunization programs in particular countries are effective and to guide future immunization policies. It also helps them to determine whether new vaccines need to be introduced to particular regions or countries.

Immunization coverage is the percentage of a target population that has received a particular vaccine. The coverage for DTP3 is computed by determining the number of children who have completed 3 doses of the series, which is then divided by the number of children who have reached their first birthday. Every country makes an estimate of their immunization coverage, and the WHO collates this data as the official coverage estimate.

Citations:

(1) World development report: investing in health. New York: Oxford University Press; 1993.

DEFINITION:
Child immunization measures the percentage of children ages 12-23 months who received vaccinations before 12 months or at any time before the survey. A child is considered adequately immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (or whooping cough), and tetanus (DPT) after receiving three doses of vaccine.

Childhood immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective methods of disease prevention. It is estimated that 2 to 3 million deaths are prevented annually by immunization with DTP and the measles vaccine.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as much as 29% of children below five years of age die annually from diseases which can be prevented by vaccines. In 2011, there were 1.5 million deaths in children secondary to these vaccine preventable illnesses.

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTP) vaccine is a combination vaccine made from diphtheria and tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis. It was first introduced in 1974, and has since been an essential part of the WHO Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI). A completed series of DTP immunization requires 3 doses before one year of age. One dose of the DTP vaccine costs approximately US $0.20.

Diphtheria is a potentially lethal disease caused by bacterial toxins. Although it is rare in developed countries, it is still found in underdeveloped countries with poor vaccine coverage. Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough”, is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract which is extremely contagious and is especially fatal in small babies. It is still considered an important cause of infant deaths worldwide. In 2011, there were 12,000 reported deaths from non-neonatal tetanus.

In 2012, the estimated global coverage with three doses of DTP vaccine rose to 83% (110.6 million infants) from 74% in 2000 (4).

According to UNICEF, one out of five infants still does not receive a complete series of DTP immunization. They call this vulnerable population the “unreached fifth child”.

Immunization coverage

Statistics on immunization coverage are used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to check whether the immunization programs in particular countries are effective and to guide future immunization policies. It also helps them to determine whether new vaccines need to be introduced to particular regions or countries.

Immunization coverage is the percentage of a target population that has received a particular vaccine. The coverage for DTP3 is computed by determining the number of children who have completed 3 doses of the series, which is then divided by the number of children who have reached their first birthday. Every country makes an estimate of their immunization coverage, and the WHO collates this data as the official coverage estimate.

Citations:

(1) World development report: investing in health. New York: Oxford University Press; 1993.